Clock winding mechanism



Dec. 3, 1946. s, w, BRAMLEY' 2,412,077

CLOCK WINDING MECHANISM Filed June-l2, 1944 '3 Sheets-Sheei 1 j a? zINVENTOR 7 -.Jmm/ey C W. ATTOR EY Dec} 3, 1946. s, w, BRAMLEY 2,412,077CLOCK WINDING MECHANISM Filed ulie 12, 1944 :5 Sheets-Sheet 2 8/ .jz'ya' INVENTOR Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT oer-10E CLOCKWINDING MECHANISM Sylvanus W. Bramley, White Plains, N. Y.

' Application June 12, 1944, Serial No. 539,945

This invention relates ing mechanism, more particularly of the type inwhich an electromagnetic circuit is employed. In this type of apparatusenergyis stored in a spring by the movement of an armature of anelectromagnet. The energy of the spring is then employed to operate atrain of clock mechanism. When the energy of thespring is partlydissipated, electrical contact is made which again energizes the magnetand restores energy to the spring.

Numerous mechanisms of this type have been proposed, notably fo'r'useonvehicles, such as automobiles. Practical difliculties have-however beenmet; in providing a mechanism which will be sufficiently reliable in itsoperationto provide accuracy of time keeping. It is an object of thepresent invention to provide improved mechanism to solve the problemswhich have arisen, to provide improved electrical and mechanical makeand break mechanism, and in general, to provide improved electricaland-mechanical means simplein construction andadapte'd forlong-continued operation t provide reliable, accurate time recording.

The invention will be defined in the claims and described in thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings inwhich Fig. 1 is a plan view taken on the line l--I of Fig. 2,

Fig. 2 is a sideview showing the clock with the casing removed to showthe clock mechanism,

Fig. 3 is a plan view generally similar to Fig. 1 showing the relativepositions of armature and electromagnet when the main spring is fullytensioned, that is, when the clock is fully wound up, Fig. I showing therelative positions of armature and electromagnet in the run downposition,

Fig. 4 is a view similar generally to Figs. 1 and 3 showing the relativepositions of armature and electromagnet intermediate the positions shownin Figs. 1 and '3,

Fig. 5 is a reverse view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, V

' Fig. 6 is a view partly in section on the line 68 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a viewsimilar to that shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 with, however,all parts removed except the electromagnet and its electricalconnections,

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical circuitemployed,

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view showing the special structure of themake and break contact means,

Fig. 10 is a section on linen-1n of Fig. 11',

to automatic clock wind-- 8 claims. (01. 135-40) Fig. 11 is anelevational side View of a modified form ofthe invention,

Fig. 12is a view partly in section onthe line l2|2'of Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is a sectional View on line I 3-l 3' of Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 is a sectional view online l4-|4 of Fig. 13,

Fig. 15 is an enlargedview of a part of the switch mechanism, r

Fig. 16'is a diagrammatic viewof the electrical' connections and switchmechanism,

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view oi a partof the switchmechanisni,"and Fig. 18shows another switch mechanism associated parts.

In the several views like the same numerals. I

Referring to' Figs; 1 to 9, an electromagne't'l,

including core 2, pole pieces'3 4,: and coil 5, 'ismountedon the plate6, the pole pieces3, 4 being secured to the; plate 6 by screws 1 and thecoil 5 being in spaced relation to said plate. Insulationpieces notshown inthe drawings insulate the endsof the coil from the polepieces;'- The binding post 8' passes through anaperture in' the plateand is insulated. therefrom by insulation ID, the post 8 being securelyheld in place by metallic gaskets I l, to one of which one end of thecoil is electrically connected as by soldering l2. The other end of thecoil is secured in metallic and electrical connection withithe plate bymeans ofa screw or rivet I3. Adjacent the pole piece 3, there is mounted011313116 plate 6 and insulated therefrom by the insulationli, a, smallplate l4 carrying an upstanding pin 20'extending transversely to theplate M. The pin 20 is made of pure silver and the plate [4 of which thepin 20 is an extension may also be made of silver for the sake ofconvenience although the said plate l4 may be made of other metallicmaterial, e. g. brass, to which the pure silver pin 20 may be joined bybrazing. Secured to the plate! is the binding post 2|; which passesthrough apertures in both plates and is insulated from the plate byinsulation pieces l5 and 22. The. post 2| is held infirm engagement withthe said insulation and plates 6 and H by means of a gasket or w'asher;

The train of clock mechanism indicated generally as is conventional.Ifhis mechanism is mounted on segmental parts 24, 25, and 26 whichventional mechanism 1 includes a ratchet wheel and 1 parts are shown- 3secured to a hub 3| carried by an arbor l8 rotatably mounted at one endon a fixed mandrel 32. The arbor near the other end is journalled insegment 25, passes through an aperture in the dial and carries hands 33of the clock which are rotated by the mechanism actuated by rotation ofthe said ratchet wheel 30 and arbor l8. The fixed-mandrel 32 is securedin and mounted on a yoke which includes the flat strip supported on andsecured toposts 4|, 42 which in turn are mounted on and secured to thesegment 26. Intermediate between the ratchet wheel 30 and the strip 40,the armature 43 is rotatably mounted on said mandrel 32. The ary mature43 comprises a flat strip ofsoft iron having end portions 44, 45extending transversely thereof and arranged to sweep over, i. e. to bebrought in closely spaced relation to the correclearly in Fig. 8. Theclock containing the mechanism of the present invention is adapted to beoperated from any suitable source of current, as for example, thebattery 86. As shown in Fig. 8, the positive and negative lead wires 8|and 82 from the battery are insulated from the plate 6 (by connection tothe binding posts which are in turn insulated by means of insulationmembers). Tracing the course of the current, it passes from the positiveterminal of thebattery through the lead wire 8|, then through the coil 5surrounding the core, and from there to the plate 6 through the wire 82and the pin or rivet I3 secured to the plate 6 asclearly shown in Fig.'7 and as indicated in Fig. 8 by the point 83. The plate '6 is inele'ctricalconnection with the armature through structural elements,including the posts 21, one of which is'shown clearly in Fig. 2, the

sponding ends of the pole pieces 3, 4. For this purpose the said ends44, 45 of the armature are arcuately shaped to correspond to thecomplementary shape of the pole pieces 3, 4.: The armature 4 3 istherefore adapted to rotate'about an axis perpendicular to the plate 6and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electromagnet. Therotational axis of the armature passing through the mid point of theelectromagnet and being transverse to the longitudinal axis of saidarmature. The latter axis lies in a plane parallel to the planecontaining the longitudinal axis of the electromagnet. To the armatureand intermediate the axis cf rotation and one end of saidarmature,thereis secured one end of the spring 56 by means of apin orrivet 5|, the other-end of the spring being secured to an extension 52of the yoke piece or strip by meansof the pin 53. Near the ends of thearmature 43 and pivoted thereon by the pins 54 are the pawls 55, 56arranged to engage the ratchet wheel 30, these pawls being biased byspring members 51.

bent around a post 59 and into engagement with its'pawl.

On the sideof the armature opposite theside to which the spring isattached, theregisxprovided an extension or lug 60 carrying a pivot pin-6| extending transversely to said extension. On this pivot pin 6| an arm62 is pivotally mounted and is biased to occupy the positions shown inFigs. 3 and 4 by means of a' coil spring 63, aided by spring 61, one endof which is secured to the one J end of each spring is inserted in ahole andthen tension on. the spring 50 as ;far as; the armature;

will go, e. g. against post 66, thisrotation of thearmature (noteFig. 1) moves the pivoted arm; 62 into a position WhEIBTthQCOX'itaG/tpins;'|3,'20

, the armature 43 tending to rotate it counter:v

lug 60, the other end bearing against a portion" transversely both tothe. plane of the arm and also to the planeof'the fiat shoe 65 and fromthat terminal portion of the arm, there extends a pin made of puresilver. pin 13 which cooperates with the fixed pin 20, saidpinsconstituting the electrical contact or make and break elements. Asshown clearly in thevarious views, including particularly Fig. 9,

the axes-of thepins 20 and 13 are at right angles for purposes whichwill be more fully hereinafter described. v

.The electrical circuit connections are shown It is this movablesegments 25, 26, the hub 3|, and the mandrel 32 on which the armature isrotatably mounted. The arm 62 pivotally mounted on thearmature 43 isalso in electrical connection with'the latter, this electricalconnection being further facilitated by the coil spring 63. Therefore,the piv-' oted arm 62 and the pin extension 13 thereof are in electricalconnection; with, the plate 6 and,

therefore the coil 2. In;Ei 8-this electrical connection between theplate and the pivoted arm is diagrammatically-shown by the leadwire 84.:

No such lead wire is however necessary. in the practical construction ofthe mechanism. Tracing the course of the currentstill further andassuming contact between the pins 2!) v and;,.13, the

current then passes from the pin 13 to the pin 20 and then through thelead wire 82 back to the; negative terminal of-the battery; Toprotectthe are brought into engagement. (Note Fig.1). The electricalcircuit is then. closed and the'electromag-net l energized; A pull isthen exerted on clockwise and this pull exerts its efiect as long as thesaid pins 13, 20 are in contact. Aspre viously stated and as clearlyshown; theiaxes of When the.

these two pins are at right angles. armature is in its ultimate positionof, movement in a clock-wise direction the end of the pin 13' extends asubstantial distance beyond theaxis of the pin 20. In thecounter-clockwise movement of the armature the pin 13 is drawntrans-zversely across the pin 20 by the rotation of the lug 60 on which thepivotedarm 62 is mounted, this lug 60 having an offset position inrelation to the.

axis about which the armature 43 rotates. The

electrical connection is not'ibroken until .there is.

a complete disengagement of the pin 13 from the pin 20, which requiresan appreciableinterva-l' and provides for movement of the armature 'toits ultimate counter-clockwise position,.. during which movement thespring is. fully tensioned.

There is thereforezan appreciable time of contact" of the pins inmovingelectrical contact with each other. Stated otherwise, the electrical.contact is preserved until the clock is fullywound up; A sudden make andbreak would not accomplish this purpose and would only partially,tension :the spring and thus develop correspondingly less energy fordriving the clock operatingi,mechanism. By the means described, amaximum amount of energy. in the springis developed with acorrespondingincrease in the time requiredto exhaust that'energy. Thusthe period of time during which the clock runs down is lengthenedandthetotal numb'er of breaks in'the electrical circuit iii any.given'timeinterval are reducedr Furthermore, by making the pins of puresilver, the formation of insulating coatings or scale isprevented andthere is always a substantially perfect'contact' ofmetallic silver tometallic silver, thus establishing certainty of operation.

' The maintenahceof thepins "I3 and 20 (which constitute the controlswitch) in contact during the counter' clockw'ise movement' ofthearmature 43 isfacilita'ted b'y'strip which concentrates the'ma'giietic'fiux" and" cooperates with the ,ma'g neticshoe member 55. IWhen the spring is fully ten'sioned, the contacts 20, I3 are separated,this separation being facilitated by the coil spring '63 which biasesthe pivoted arm 62 (note Figs. 3 and 4) to separate said contacts;tension, on the spring 50 then causes clockwise rotation of thearmature, this rotation being transmittedto the ratchet wheel 30 andthence to the hands of the clock by means of the pawls 55, 56'. Duringtensioning of the spring and counter-clockwise rotation of the armature,tension to drive the ratchet wheel is maintained by a coil spring (notshown in the drawings) located within the drum 3I'.

Figs. 10 t 16 show a modified form of themvention. The electromagnet Iis mounted on a base 90 of insulatin material having apertures throughwhich binding posts 8 and 2I' pass se cured to said base by nuts "9 I,92 with which nuts 93', 94 cooperate to secure lead'wires' from thebattery 80. One end ofthe coil 2 is soldered or brazed to binding post8., The-other end is connected to switch 95 shown diagrammatically andin perspective in Fig. 16. This switch comprises an insulating member 96supported on a bracket 9! secured to binding post 2|. The insulatingmember 96insula'tes two small bars or strips 98, 99 (noteFig. 17) fromeach other except when they are placed in electrical communication bymeans to be described. The strips 98, 99 are made of pure silver. Strip98' is brazed to the bracket 91 which may be brass or bronze. Strip 99,is connected to bar 99A which in turn is connected to bracket99Bsecuredto base 90. by screw 990. To bracket 99B is secured one end of coil 5and insulating member 96 is secured between brackets 91 and 99B andinsulates these from each other. The other part of the switch comprisestwo cooperatin bars I00, IOI of pure silver brazed to an elongatedU-shaped member I02 which may be made of Phosphor bronze and which is anextension of the member I03 forming a part of arm 62. The latter ispivoted by means of pivot pin 6| on abracket I04 secured to armature 43by rivet I05. Arm 62 is biased by coil spring 63 mounted on pivot pin 6|one end of said spring bein secured to bracket I04 and the other end toarm 62. Arm6 2 has'a lug I06 adapted to engage bracket I04 which acts asa stop and limits movement of said arm 62 in one direction. The memberI03 is a strip which may be made of Phosphor bronze and is stiffened byupstandingedge portions II". On its under side said strip carries a softiron magnetic shoe 65 cooperating with strip 10' constituting anextension of pole piece 3. To the shoe 65 there is attached anonmagnetic strip I08 which acts to provide spacing between strip 10 andthe magnetic shoe piece 65.:

" the coil to around the electromagnet I.

Referring'to Figs. 10, .11, and 13,-the-armature '43 is rotatablymounted on fixed mandrel 32secured in strip 40 supported-by posts M, 42.On this mandrel is also rotatably mounted ratchet wheel secured to;arbor I8 which is suitably journalled as insegment 25. The rotationof-the ratchet-wheel andarbor actuatesthe clock mechanism and theindicating hands 33 mounted on the arbor at one end'thereoi. Thearmature 43 has a housing portion I09 within which coiled main spring H0is located securedby pin III to said housing at one endand secured tothe fixed mandrel 32 at the other end- I I2 thereof. An auxiliaryhousingI I3'securedto the strip 40 fur.- ther encloses said spring I I0. v I

On thearmature 43 paw1s. 55, 59 are pivoted. onpins 54 and biased by.coil springs I20.

The operation of the mechanism described-fin Figs. 10 to 17 inclusivewill now be described. Assume that the mechanism is in the run down!condition as shown by the position ofthe armature 43in Fig. 10. Thiscausesthe arm-62? to swung so that theU-shaped switch member- I02bridges the contacts 98, 99 thereby establishing a closed electricalcircuit from the battery through The energized electromagnet then causesrotation of the armature 43 in a counter-clockwise direction. Duringthis movement the electrical circuit-.- is maintained in closed positionor condition as long as the U-shaped switch member I02 bridges thecontacts 98-, 99. The time of circuit closing that is duration thereofis controlled bythe length of the contacts or bars: 98,99 andtheextent-to which the legs of the U-shaped member I02- extend beyondsaid contacts 98, 99 (note Figs.f11- and 13) and the structure of thepart is arranged inthe manner taught herein so-that the circuit shallremain closed until, by rotationof the armature. the main spring of themechanismis fully. wound up and acquires sufiicient ener y .tolopera atethe mechanism during a light substantial intervalfof time in order. toreduceto aminimum the total number of makes and breaks occurring duringthe life of the mechanism. The magnitude of energy storedin the mainspring II 0 is dependent onthe angle through which armature 43 rotatesin a counter-clockwise direction and the magnitude of this angle is inturn dependent on the time during which the electrical circuit remainsin a closed position. This maintenance is facilitated-by the member I03to which is attached the magneticshoe which cooper- I ates with theextension 10 of the pole piece 13 pto hold the U-shaped switch memberI02 in circuit closing position until the armature 4 3 is fully rotatedthrough its predetermined angle of rotation in order to fully wind themain spring. H0. At the end of the movement of the armature'in acounter-clockwise position it. is necessary that the. circuit beimmediately broken andto facilitate this action coilspring 63 isprovided to throw the .arm 62 away from the contact 98, 99. Thenon-magnetic strip I08-provides sufiicient air gap between'magnetic shoe65 and the extension I0 of pole piece 3 toprevent freezing ofthe part byresidual magnetism remain-' ing after the circuit is broken; When thecoil spring or main spring H0 is fully stressed by counter-clockwiserotation of the armature 43,v and the circuit is broken,,the energy insaid spring then causes operation of the clock mechanism by' causingrotation of said armature in a clockwise direction this rotation beingcommunicated to the ratchet wheel 30 by the pawls 55,. 5Ii.

During'winding of the main spring H0, rotation of 'the ratchet wheel ismaintained by a maintaining spring located within hub 3|, thismaintaining spring not being specifically shown.

Referringto Fig. 18, Hi indicates a tube which maybe made of glasssecured to the armature 43 and having terminals or electrodes sealedinto one end thereof, these terminals being connected to lead wires.This tube is a part of an electrical; circuit including the battery andthe electromagnet shown in Figs. 8 and 16 for example. That is to say,the tube l2l with its electrodes constitutes a switch which is a part ofthat electrical circuit. The tube contains a globule of mercury whichcauses closing of the switch when the tube is tilted into the positionshown. The armature 43 and the electromagnet I are so arranged that theswitch IZI occupies the circuit closing position shown in Fig. 18 whenthe main spring H is run down. Thereupon the closing of the circuitenergizes the electromagnet, ro-

tates the armature 43 into the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 18whereupon the globule of mercury runs to the other end of the tube andcauses breaking of the circuit. The arrangement shown in Fig. 18 is notclaimed herein. It is difierent from the switch mechanism describedandclaimed;

' What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination anelectromagnet having a longitudinal axis and a pair of poles, anelongated armature pivoted to rotate about an axis passing through themid-point of'the electro-magnet and perpendicular tothe axis thereof,said armature havinga longitudinal axis perpendicular to its rotationalaxis, said longitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to the planecontaining the longitudinal axis'of the electromagnet and said armaturehaving end pieces arranged to sweep over the pole pieces'of theelectromagnet, a spring biasing said armature to rotate it in clockwisedirection and to thereby'operate the clockmechanism, said armature beingarranged to rotate through an angle of predetermined magnitudealternately in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, the positionof the armature at the end of its movement in a clockwise directioncorresponding to a run down condition of the spring and the position ofthe armature at the end of itscounter clockwise movement correspondingto a fully restressed condition of the spring, a switch including afixed elongated bar and a movable contact, and means to close saidswitch at the end of the clockwise movement of the armature, to maintainsaid switch in closed position during. the counter-clockwise movement ofthe armature and until the spring is fully restressed, said meansincluding an arm pivoted on said armature to rotate about an axisparallel and in spaced relation to the rotational axis of said armatureand offset from the longitudinal axis of said armature said arm carryingsaid movable bar and being adapted for longitudinal movement in thedirection, of the longitudinal axis of said bar; said fixed contactbeing adjacent one pole of the magnet which pole is cooperativelyarranged in relation to one end of the armature and the axis of rotationof said arm being intermediate the rotational axis of the armature andthe other end thereof, the armature, movable arm. and switch membersbeing thereby arranged to effect closing of said switch at the end ofthe clockwise movement of the armature and to effect movement of themovable elongated bar in sliding engagement with=thenxedcontact duringcounterclockwise movement of said armature and whereby the switch ismaintained in a closed condition during contact oi said elongated barwith the fixed contact and opened by disengagement of the movable barand fixed contact at the end of said longitudinal movement. 1 v 2. Inapparatus of the character described, in combination an electromagnethaving a longitudinal axis and a'pair of poles, an elongated armaturepivoted to rotate about an axis passing through themid-point of theelectromagnet and perpendicular to the axis thereof, said armaturehavinga longitudinal axis perpendicular to its rotational axis,.saidlongitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to the plane containing thelongitudinal axis of the electromagnet and said arma ture having endpieces arranged to sweep over the pole. pieces of the electromagnet, aspring biasing said armature to rotate it in clockwise direction and tothereby operate the clock mechanism, said armature being arranged torotate through an angle of predetermined magnitude alternately in aclockwise and counterclockwise direction, the position of the armatureat the end of itsmovement in a clockwise direction corresponding 'toarun down condition of the spring and the position of the armature atthe end of its counter-clockwisemovement corresponding to a fullyrestressed condition of the spring, a switch including a .pair ofelectric contactpins one oi said pins being fixed and the. other movable, the axes of said pins being transversejto each other, and means toclose said switch at the endof the. clockwise movement ofthe armature,tomaintain said switch inwclosed position duringthe counter-clockwisemovement of the armature and until the spring is fullyrestressed andthen to open said switch, said'means. includ: ing a pivoton saidarmature and'an arm pivoted on said pivot armature to rotate about anaxis parallel and in spaced relation to the axis of rotation of saidarmature, said arm carrying said movable contact pin, said 'armature andpivoted arm thereon being arranged to cause the end or the movable pinon said arm to extend beyond and in contact with the fixed pin when thearmature is at the end of its clockwisemov'e ment and to draw saidmovable pin across and in contact with the fixed pin during counterclock-, wise motion of the armature .andto open said switch by saiddrawing movement, thelsaidpivot moving away from said fixedcontactduring said counter-clockwise motion. f 7 i v 3. In apparatus of thecharacter described, in combination an electromagnet having a longitudinal axis and a pair of poles, an elongated arma-,

ture pivoted to rotate about an axis passing through the mid-pointof theelectromagnet and perpendicular to the axis thereof, said armaturehaving a longitudinal axis perpendicular to its rotational axis, saidlongitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to the plane containing the,longitudinal axis of the electromagnet and said armature having endpieces arranged to sweep over the pole pieces of the electromagnet, aspring biasing said armature to rotate it in clockwise direction ment ina clockwise direction corresponding to' a run down condition ofthespring'and the position of the armatureat the'end of its counter-'clockwise movem ent corresponding to a fully re- .stressed conditionoflthe, spring, a switch including. a'fixed contact and a movablecontact, and means .to close saidj'switch at the end of the, clockwisemovement of the armature, to maintain said switch in-closed positionduring the counterclockwise movementof the armature and until the springis fully restressed, said means including an arm pivoted onsaid armatureto rotate about an axis'parallel and inspaced relation to the rotationalaxis of,,said ,ar'mature and offset from the longitudinal axis of saidarmature said arm carrying said movable contact; said fixed contactbeing adjacentone pole of the magnet which pole is cooperativelyarranged in relation to one end .of the armature and the axis ofrotation of said armbeingintermediatethe rotational axis of the-armatureand the other end thereof, the armature, movable armand switch membersbeing thereby arrangedto eifect closing of said switch at the end of theclockwise movementof the armature and to effectrnovement of the mov ablecontact in sliding engagement with the fixed contact duringcounter-clockwise movement of said. armature; and cooperating magneticelements on said pivoted arm and electromagnet respectively, to maintainsaid switch in closed condition by maintaining said sliding engagementduring counter-clockwisemovement of, said armature.

4. Inapparatusof the character described, in combination anelectromagnet having a longitudinal axis and apair of poles, anelongated armature pivoted to rotate about an axis passing through themid-point of the electromagnet and perpendicular to the axis thereof,said armature having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to its rotationalaxis, said longitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to theplanecontaining the longitudinal axis of the electromagnet and saidarmature having endcpieces arranged to sweep over the ;pole pieces ofthe electromagnet, a spring biasing said armaturetorotate it inclockwise directionand to thereby operate the clock mechanism saidarmature being arranged ,to rotate through an angle of predeterminedmagnitude alternately in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction,the position of the, armature at the end of-itsmovement in a clockwisedirection corre sponding to a .run down conditionof thespring and the.positionof the armature at .thesend of its counter-clockwise movementcorresponding to a fully restressed condition of the spring, a switchincludinga'fixed contact and a movable contact,

and means to close said switch at the end of the clockwise movement .ofthe, armature, to maintainsaid switchin closed position during thecounter-clockwise movement of the armature. and until the spring isfully restressed, said means including. an armpivoted on said armatureto rotateIabout an axisparallel and in spacedv relation to therotational axis of said armature and oiTset-fromthe longitudinal axis.ofs'aid armature saidarm-carrying-said movable contact; said fixedcontact being adjacent one pole of the magnet which pole iscooperatively, arranged in relation to one endtof thearmatu're and theaxis of rotation of said armbeing intermed ate therotational axis of thearmature and the other .end thereof thearmature, movable arm and switchmembersbeing thereby arranged to effectclosing.

of said switch at the end of-theclockwisemov ement of the armature andto effect movement of the movable contactin sliding engagement with thefixed contact during counter-clockwise movement of said armature, and amagnetic member extending from one pole piece of the electromagnet. andadapted to concentrate the magnetic fluxand a cooperating magneticmember carried :by the pivoted arm, tov maintain said switch inclosed-condition by maintaining said sliding engagement duringcounter-clockwise movement of said armature.

5.. Inapparatus of the character described, in oombinationanelectromagnet having a longitudinal axis and a pair of, poles, anelongated armature pivoted to rotate about an axis passing through themid-point of the electromagnet and perpendicular to the axis thereof,said armature having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to its rotationalaxis, said longitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to the planecontaining the longitudinal axis of the electromagnet and said armaturehaving end pieces arranged to sweep over the pole pieces of theelectromagnet, a spring biasing said armature to rotate it in clockwisedirection and to thereby operate the clock mechanism, said armaturebeing arranged to rotate through an angle of predetermined magnitudealternately in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, theposition'of the. armature at the end ofits movement in aclockwisedirection corresponding ,to a, run down condition of thespringand the position of the armatureat 80 the end of itscounter-clockwise movement corresponding to a'fully restressed conditionof the spring, a switch including a fixed contact and a movable contact,andmeans to close said switch i at the end of the clockwise movement ofthe 35 armature, to maintain said switch in closed position during thecounter-clockwise movement of the armature anduntil the spring is fullyrestressed and then to open said switch said means includingv anarmpivoted on said armature to rotate about anaxis parallel and in spacedrelation to the rotational axis of said armature and offset from thelongitudinal axis of, said armature saidv arm carrying said movablecontact; said fixed contact being adjacent one pole of the magnet whichpole is cooperatively arranged in relation to one end of the armatureand theaxis of rotation of said arm being intermediate therotationalaxis of the. armature and the other 1 end thereof, thearmature, movable arm and 50 switch members being thereby arranged toeffect closing of said switch at the endof the clockwise movement ofthearmature and to efiect movement of the movable contact inslidingengagement with the fixed contact during counter 5 clockwisemovementofsaid armature; and cooperating magnetic elements on said' pivoted armand electromagnet respectively to maintain said switchin closedcondition by maintaining said sliding engagement duringcounter-clockwise 60 movement of. said armature and aspring biasing 1said pivoted armto open said switch atthe end 01 said counter-clockwisemovement. v

6. In apparatusof the characterdescribed, in

combination an electromagnet havin a longitudinal axis and a pairof.pole's, an elongated armature pivoted to rotate about an axis passingthrough the mid-point of the electromagnet and perpendicular tothev axisthereof, said armature havinga longitudinal axis, perpendicular toits 7rotational axis said longitudinal axis lying, in a plane parallel to theplane containing the longitudinal ax s of the. electromagnet and saidarmature having. end pieces. arranged to, sweep over therpole. pieces-ofthe electromagnet, a. spring 5 biasing said armature to rotate it inclockwise 11 directionand to thereby operate the clock mechanism, saidarmature being arranged 'torotate through an angle "of' predeterminedmagnitude alternately in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction,the position of the armature at the end of its movement in a clockwisedirection corresponding to a run down condition of the spring and theposition of the armature at the end of its counter-clockwise movementcorresponding to a fully restressed condition of the spring, a switchincluding a fixed contact and a movable contact,

and means to close said switch at the end of the clockwise movement ofthe armature, to maintain said switch in closed position during thecounterclockwise movement of the armature and until the spring is fullyrestressed and then to open said switch said means including an armpivoted on said armature to rotate about an axis parallel and in spacedrelation to, the rotational axis of said armature and. offset from thelongitudinal axis of said armature said armcarrying said movablecontact; said fixed contact being adjacent one pole of the magnet whichpole is cooperatively arrangedin relation to,one ,end of the armatureand the axis of rotationof said arm being intermediate the rotationalaxis of the armature and the, other end thereof, the armature, movablearm and switch members being thereby arranged to efiect closing of saidswitch at the end of the clockwise movement of the armature and toeffectmovement of the movable contact in sliding engagement with thefixedcontact during counterclockwise movement of said armature, and a maganarm pivoted on said pivot to rotate about an axisparallel an'd'in spacedrelation, to the axis of rotation of said armature said arm carryingsaid movable contact pin, said armature and pivoted arm thereon beingarranged to cause the end of the movablepin. on said arm to extendbeyond and in contact with the fixed pin when the armature is at the endof its clockwisemovement and to draw said movable pin across and incontact withthe fixed pin during counterclockwise motion of thearmature, the said pivot moving away from said fixed contact during saidcounter-clockwise motion.

8. In apparatus of the character described, in combination anelectromagnet having a longitudinal axis and a pair of poles, anelongated armature' pivoted to rotate about an axis passing through themid-pointer the electromagnet and perpendicularjto the axis thereof,said armature having a longitudinal axis perpendicular toits rotationalaxis, said longitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to the planecontaining the longie tudinal axis of the electromagnet and saidarmature having end pieces arranged to sweep over the pole pieces of theelectromagnet, a spring biasing said armature to rotate it in clockwisedirection and to thereby operate the clock mechanism, saidv armaturebeing arranged to rotate through an angle of predetermined magnitudealternately in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, the positionof the armature at the netic member extending from one pole piece of theelectromagnet and adapted to concentrate the-magnetic fiux andjacooperating magnetic member carried by the pivoted arm, to maintain saidswitch in closed condition by maintaining said sliding engagement duringcounter-clockwise movement of said armature and a spring biasing saidpivoted armto opensaid switch at the end of said counter-clockwisemovement.

7. In apparatus of the character described, in combination anelectromagnet having a longitudinal'axis and a pairof poles, anelongated armature pivoted ,to rotate about an axis, passing through themidpointof the electromagnet and perpendicular tofthe axis thereof, saidarmature having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to-its rotationalaxis, said longitudinal axis lying in 7a, 5

plane parallel to the plane containing thelongitudinal axis of theelectromagnet and said arma-, ture having end pieces arrangedto sweepover, the pole pieces of the electromagnet, a spring biasingsaidarmatureto rotate it in, clockwise direction and to thereby operatethe clock mechanism, said armature being arranged to rotate through anangle ,of predetermined magnitude alternately in a clockwiseandcounter-clockwise direction, the position of the armature at the endof its movement in a clockwise direction corresponding to a run downconditionlof the spring andthe position of the armature at the end ofits counter-clockwise movement corresponding to a fully restressedcondition including a, pair of electric contact pins made of puresilverroneto-f saidpins being fixed and the other, movable, the axes ofsaid pins being, transverse, to each other, and means to close saidswitch atthe endof the clockwise movement of the armature, to maintainsaid switch in closed position during the counter-clockwise movement ofthe armature and until thespring is fully restressed and then to opensaid switch, said means. includin a pivot on saidarmature and 15 of thespring, a switch sponding end of its movement in a clockwise directioncorresponding to a rundown condition of the spring and the position ofthe armature, at the end of its counter-clockwise movement correto afully restressed condition of the spring, a switch including a fixedcontact and a movable contact, and means to close said switch at the endof the clockwise movement of the armature, to maintain said switch inclosed position during the counter-clockwise movement of the armatureand until the spring is fully restressed, said means including an armpivoted on-saidarmat ure to rotate about an axis parallel 5 andin spacedrelation tothe rotational axis of said armature and offsetf romfthelongitudinal axis of said armature said arm carrying said movablecontact; saidfixed contact being adjacent one pole of the magnet whichpoleis cooperatively arranged: in relation to one end of the armatureand the axisof rotationof said arm being. intermediate the rotationalaxis of the armature and the other end thereof, the armature, movablearm and". switch members being thereby. arranged to efiect closi'ng ofsaid switch 9 said armature,

at the end of, the clockwise movement of the armature and to effectmovement of the movable contact in sliding engagement with the fixedcontactfiduring counter-clockwise movement of and a magnetic memberextend ing fromonepole piece of the electromagnet and adapted toconcentrate the magnetic flux and a cooperating magnetic membericarried' by the pivoted arm, to maintain said switch in closed conditionby maintaining said sliding engagement during counter-clockwisemovementof said armature,,said fixed contact; comprising a pair of metallic barsinsulated from each other; and the movab1e contact comprising anelongated U,-shaped metallic member adapted to "bridge saidfixd contactsatthe endof said clockwise movement and to remain in sliding en gagementtherewith during said counterclockwise; move ment. 7 V

